Green List Guide 2026: Jobs and Residency Pathways

From 9 March 2026, New Zealand’s median wage increased to NZD $35.00 per hour. This affects Green List roles that use the median wage as part of their pay requirement, so it is important to check the current salary rule for your occupation.

Some jobs in New Zealand can make your path to residence easier. 

If your job is on the Green List, you may have a clearer visa pathway.

This guide explains what the New Zealand Green List is, which jobs are included, and how it may support your work and residency plans.

View the Green List Tier 1 occupations

View the Green List Tier 2 occupations

The New Zealand Green List is a list of jobs that Immigration New Zealand identifies as high demand. If your occupation is on the list and you meet the requirements, it may help you apply for residence more easily.

The Green List matters because it can help you see which jobs New Zealand needs most right now. 

But each Green List job has its own rules. Some roles have different qualifications, salary, or experience requirements, so it is important to understand how the list works before you make plans.

That is why it helps to read the details carefully and know which occupations match your long-term goal.

Want to know if your course can lead to a Green List job? 

Speak with an IDP counsellor before you decide on your next step.

There are several benefits to people applying for roles on the green list.

• Applications for these roles are simplified and given priority in processing.

• People successful in applying for these roles can fast-track their permanent residency, either becoming eligible for work-to-residence or straight-to-residence.

• Tertiary education students can study for one of these roles, get post-study work rights, and potentially move straight to PR.

Which job is in high demand in New Zealand?

Many of New Zealand’s high-demand jobs are listed under the Green List Tier 1, which means they are linked to faster residence pathways if you meet the role requirements. The strongest demand is currently in healthcare, engineering, construction, ICT, and teaching.

What jobs are on New Zealand's green list?

New Zealand’s Green List mainly covers occupation groups where skill shortages are strongest, so the most commonly appearing roles are in engineering, healthcare, construction, ICT, teaching, and skilled trades. Across both Tier 1 and Tier 2, this includes engineers, health professionals, construction professionals, ICT professionals, teachers, and skilled trade workers.

There are also some roles in agriculture, transport operations, auditing, and specialised technical work, but most Green List opportunities sit within these core shortage sectors. 

What are the green list courses in New Zealand for international students?

Green List courses in New Zealand are study programmes that can lead to jobs on the Green List, especially in engineering, healthcare, teaching, information technology, construction, trades, and agriculture. The Green List does not publish one official course list. Instead, it lists occupations, so the course you choose should match the qualification needed for that role.

Common Green List course areas include:

• Engineering — civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering

• Healthcare — nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, pharmacy, medical laboratory science

• Teaching — early childhood education, primary teaching, secondary teaching

• Information technology — software engineering, information systems, cybersecurity

• Construction — quantity surveying, construction management

• Trades — electrical trades, plumbing, automotive engineering

• Agriculture — dairy farm management and related agricultural training

Your course should also match the exact job requirements for that role. Some occupations require registration, work experience, or a minimum salary before you can use a Green List pathway. 

The Green List has two main pathways to help you apply for residence in New Zealand. Which one applies to you depends on your job and the rules for that occupation.

• Tier 1: Straight to Residence

This pathway may let you apply for residence sooner if your job is in a Tier 1 occupation and you meet the requirements.

• Tier 2: Work to Residence

This pathway means you need to work in New Zealand for 2 years in an eligible job before you can apply for residence.

The next sections explain how each pathway works and what you need to qualify.

The Green List has general rules that apply across many jobs. 

Your exact requirements will depend on whether your pathway is Tier 1 or Tier 2, but if you are applying for any of these Green List pathways, these are the main things you need to check first.

Your occupation must be on the Green List

Your job must appear on the Green List before you can use this pathway. It must also be listed under either Tier 1 or Tier 2, because that decides which residence pathway applies to you.

Your employer must be accredited

Your employer must be approved by Immigration New Zealand. This matters because Green List visas only apply if your job is with an accredited employer in New Zealand.

Your qualification must match your role

You need the qualification required for your job. Some roles only accept New Zealand qualifications, while others may accept overseas qualifications if they are recognised.

Some jobs also need registration or work experience

Some occupations need extra proof before you can apply. For example, nurses, teachers, and engineers may need professional registration, and some roles also ask for work experience.

Your pay must match the wage rule set for your occupation

This is important because your work may not count toward residence if your salary is below the required amount.

Some Green List jobs have a fixed pay rate written into the role. Other jobs use New Zealand’s current median wage, which is now NZD $35.00 per hour.

When you search for your job in the Green List, Immigration New Zealand will show more than just the job title. It also shows the pathway linked to your role, the pay you must meet, and the qualifications or registration you need before you apply.

1. Which pathway applies to you

The green list will show if your role is under Tier 1 or Tier 2. This matters because:

• Tier 1 jobs can use the Straight to Residence pathway.

• Tier 2 jobs usually follow the Work to Residence pathway.

2. The required salary for your role

The Green List also shows the minimum pay you must meet before you can apply for a specific pathway.

3. The qualification linked to your role

In the Green List, you’ll also see whether you need a New Zealand qualification or whether your overseas qualification is enough for you to be eligible for a residence pathway.

4. Registration linked to your profession

Some occupations need registration before you can use that role for a Green List pathway.

5. Extra role conditions

Some jobs include extra conditions that are specific to that profession.

The Straight to Residence pathway is for people whose job is listed under Tier 1 of the Green List. 

It gives you a direct way to apply for residence if you already meet the job requirements and have a full-time job or job offer from an accredited employer in New Zealand.

Unlike other pathways, you do not need to complete work experience in New Zealand first. 

If your application is approved, you can stay in New Zealand long term and later apply for permanent residence.

Key details

• Length of stay: you can live in New Zealand indefinitely

• Processing time: most applications are processed within 4 months

• Cost: from NZD 6,450

Who can apply for the Straight to Residence pathway

You can apply under this pathway if you:

• are 55 years old or younger

• have a job or job offer in a Tier 1 Green List occupation

• work for, or will work for, an accredited employer

• have a full-time role that is permanent, fixed-term for at least 12 months, or a contract that runs for at least 6 months

• meet the job requirements for that occupation, such as qualifications, registration, or work experience

• are paid the rate set for that role, or at least NZD $35.00 per hour if no specific wage is listed

• meet English language requirements

• meet health and character requirements 

What you can do with this visa

• live in New Zealand 

• work for your approved employer

• study in New Zealand

• include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in your application

1. Gather your documents

Prepare documents that show your identity and your job eligibility in New Zealand:

• Passport and identity documents.

• Job offer letter or employment agreement.

• Proof of your qualifications, registration, or work experience.

• Proof that your job meets the required pay rate.

2. Check your job details

Make sure your job meets Green List rules:

• Your job is under Tier 1 of the Green List.

• Your employer is accredited.

• You meet the role requirements for that occupation.

3. Prepare extra required documents

Some applicants also need supporting documents before applying:

• English language evidence

• Health checks if required

• Police certificates if required

• Certified English translations for non-English documents

4. Submit your application online

Apply through Immigration New Zealand:

• Complete the online form.

• Upload your documents.

• Pay the visa fee.

5. Wait for a decision

After you apply:

• Check your application status online.

• Respond if Immigration New Zealand asks for more documents.

• Wait for your visa decision.

The Work to Residence pathway for you if your job is listed under Tier 2 of the Green List.

Unlike Tier 1, you must first work in New Zealand for 24 months before you can apply. You also need to stay in an eligible role and keep meeting the job requirements during that time.

Key details

• Length of stay: you can live in New Zealand indefinitely

• Cost: from NZD 6,450

• Work requirement before applying: 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand

Who can apply for the Work to Residence pathway

You can apply under this pathway if you:

• are 55 years old or younger

• have worked in New Zealand for 24 months in a Tier 2 Green List occupation

• completed that work within the 30 months before you apply

• have a current job or job offer from an accredited employer

• have a full-time role that is permanent or fixed-term for at least 12 months

• meet the job requirements for that occupation, such as qualifications, registration, or work experience

• are paid the rate set for that role, or at least NZD $35.00 per hour if no specific wage is listed

• kept the required pay level during your 24-month work period so your work can count toward eligibility

• meet English language requirements

• meet health and character requirements

If your qualification was completed outside New Zealand, you may also need an International Qualification Assessment (IQA) before you apply.

What you can do with this visa

• live in New Zealand

• work in New Zealand

• study in New Zealand

• include your partner and dependent children aged 24 or younger in your application 

1. Gather your documents

Prepare documents that show your identity and your 24 months of eligible work in New Zealand:

• Passport and identity documents

• Employment agreement or job contract

• Payslips, tax records, or employer letters

• Proof of your role, hours worked, and salary

2. Check your job details

Make sure your current job still meets Green List rules:

• Your job is under Tier 2 of the Green List.

• Your employer is accredited.

• You still meet the role requirements for that occupation.

3. Prepare extra required documents

Some applicants also need supporting documents before applying:

• English language evidence

• Health checks 

• Police certificates, if required

• Certified English translations for non-English documents

4. Submit your application online

Apply through Immigration New Zealand:

• Complete the online form.

• Upload your documents.

• Pay the visa fee.

5. Wait for a decision

After you apply:

• Check your application status online.

• Respond if Immigration New Zealand asks for more documents.

• Wait for your visa decision.

A Green List course can help because it may lead you to a job that supports a residence pathway in New Zealand. The usual path is to finish a qualification in New Zealand, move to a post-study work visa, then work in a role that matches Green List requirements.

In most cases, the steps look like this:

• Choose a course linked to a Green List occupation.

• Finish your qualification in New Zealand.

• Apply for a post-study work visa after graduation.

• Find a job that matches a Green List role.

• Make sure your employer is accredited, and your pay meets the required rate.

• Apply under the pathway that matches your role, either Tier 1 or Tier 2.

Your course is only the first step. What matters next is whether your job, salary, qualifications, and employer all match the Green List rules when you are ready to apply. 

Choosing the right course early can make your next steps clearer if you want to build your future in New Zealand.

We can help you compare courses linked to Green List industries. We can explain which qualification matches the job you want. 

If you want to explore visa or residence options later, you can also speak with our migration experts for advice based on your own goals.

Sources:

• Green List roles

• Straight to Residence Visa

• Work to Residence Visa

• Working in New Zealand - The Green List